Childhood
Education (1-6)
Childhood (Elementary) Education at SU
The School of Education's Teaching and Leadership Programs prepares
educators to promote the active learning and academic achievement
of all students in inclusive environ-ments, and to serve as principled
leaders and advocates for students in their schools, communities,
and profession. We offer three levels of study in childhood (elementary)
education: a bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in Inclusive Elementary
and Special Education, master's degrees (M.S.) for those with or without
initial preparation in childhood education, and the certificate of
advanced study (C.A.S.). A concentration in childhood education is
also available through the doctoral (Ph.D.) program in Teaching and
Curriculum.
MS
in Childhood Education/ Preparation Program
For further information, contact the program coordinator:
Dr. Patricia Tinto, Teaching and Leadership Programs
150 Huntington Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-2340
(315)443-9659 pptinto@syr.edu
This
program offers teacher candidates:
§ the opportunity for those holding a bachelor’s degree
with a major or concentration in a liberal arts area or its equivalent,
but no prior coursework in teaching, to prepare for NYS certification
as childhood teachers (grades 1-6) while earning a master’s
degree.
§ a 40-credit hour program that exposes students to cutting-edge
ideas in program courses taught by research faculty specialists.
§ special emphasis on working with struggling students, serving
diverse student populations, using technology to promote active learning,
and teachers as researchers of professional practice and builders
of practical theory.
§ five field placements integrated with early coursework and
student teaching which allow each candidate to learn from a variety
of urban and suburban school settings, teachers, and children with
diverse backgrounds and abilities.
§ a twelve-month program of full-time study, beginning in July,
finishing degree requirements the following June, before September
teaching positions begin.
§ sharing professional development with a cohort of candidates,
taking a common core of courses together.
Admission
to the program:
Program prerequisites include a bachelor's degree with a major or
concentration in the liberal arts or sciences, and at least 60 semester
hours in liberal arts and sciences. Previous study must include a
minimum of one course in writing, two courses each in college level
mathematics, laboratory sciences, and social sciences, and 2-3 courses
in the humanities. One of the social science or humanities courses
must be in history, and study or significant participation in the
arts must be included. At least two courses must address issues related
to diversity. In addition, a language requirement through the first
year of college study must be met through appropriate college or high
school (Level III) courses. Applicants who have not completed these
prerequisites should consult the program coordinator.
Admission is competitive, with decisions based on grade point average,
recommendations, and the candidate's stated goals. The minimum undergraduate
grade point average for admission is 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
There are no interviews or examinations required for admission. However,
interviews are encouraged, and all candidates must be successful in
the first summer of study in the program to warrant continuing into
the fall semester. This is evidenced by skill in writing, productive
engagement in the assigned field experience, grades of “B”
or better in each summer course, and displaying a professional disposition.
Although not program requirements, NYS initial teacher certification
requires U.S. citizenship (or a declaration of intent to become a
citizen) and passing scores on three examinations. The Liberal Arts
and Sciences Test may be taken prior to starting the program; the
other two tests, related specifically to teaching and curriculum,
are typically taken shortly before program completion. New York State
also requires fingerprinting of applicants for certification.
Besides qualifying for initial teacher certification, students meet
academic requirements for the next level (“professional”)
NYS certification. Some teaching experience is required before the
professional certificate is actually awarded.
Applications
for admission:
Although applications for admission may be submitted either on-line
or on paper, on-line applications are processed more swiftly and are
strongly encouraged. On-line applications may be found and completed
at:
https://apply.embark.com/grad/syracuse/
All applications, however submitted, are processed by the Syracuse
University Graduate Enrollment Management Center. The Center forwards
materials to the program coordinator (and notifies the applicant)
once all required information has been received. Candidates who want
to apply for an SU scholarship (see next page) should submit separate
applications for both admission and a scholarship by February 1; those
who do so will receive responses to both applications by March 1.
Applications for admission submitted after February 1 but by March
31 will be considered on a space available basis.
Applicants with questions about the application process should contact
the program coordinator (above) or the School of Education’s
Graduate Admissions Recruiter, Jacqueline Chambers, at 315-443-2505
or gradcrt@gwmail.syr.edu.
Financial Aid
Financial aid programs available to United States citizens are based
on financial need. Graduate awards and appointments administered by
Syracuse University are merit-based and highly competitive; most require
a separate application (i.e., checking the “interested in aid?”
box on the admissions application is not sufficient to initiate consideration
for specialized awards). For general information about financial aid
programs, and applications for student loans and Federal Work-Study
for graduate students, consult the Financial Aid Office at 443-1513,
or http://sumweb.syr.edu/financial_aid. To determine eligibility for
Federal Stafford Loans and/or Federal Work-Study, complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at http://fafsa.ed.gov.
For information about the School of Education’s own scholarships
and awards, consult http://soeweb.syr.edu/grad/soescholarships2002-2003.pdf.
Although the School of Education offers some graduate assistantships,
MS/Childhood Education/Preparation Program students’ daytime
schedule and academic commitments make it impossible for them to fill
most assistantship positions.
Special
Services and Opportunities
Field experiences are completed within the Professional Development
School (PDS) Network, a collaborative partnership of Syracuse University,
area school systems and educators, and the community that links teacher
preparation, educational research, and professional development of
practicing educators. Field placements are arranged in community-based
tutoring programs and in urban, suburban, and (occasionally) rural
elementary classrooms, each placement closely coordinated with one
or more on-campus courses.
The School of Education’s Career Services Office maintains job
vacancy listings, credential files and employment resource materials,
sponsors a teacher recruitment fair, and facilitates the search for
employment opportunities. Fees are charged for some services.
Those interested in our preparation program in “regular”
childhood education may also want to consider our masters-level Inclusive
Special Education: Preparation 1-6 program, which leads to a childhood
special education certificate. The 32-credit program can be completed
with one additional year of full-time study, or with part-time study
while teaching.
MS/Childhood Education/Preparation Program Course Sequence
First Summer
EED 601 Strategies of Teaching for Inclusive Education I 2
EED 604 Learning and Learners in Inclusive Classrooms 3
SPE 603 Perspective on Disabilities 2
EED 606 Understanding Teaching in Inclusive Schools 3
And an associated field experience
Fall Semester
EED 602 Strategies of Teaching for Inclusive Education II 2
EED 623 Elementary Mathematics Methods and Curriculum 3
EED 624 Elementary Language Arts Methods and Curriculum 3
EED 625 Elementary Reading Methods and Curriculum 3
EED 640 Participation in the Professional Development School 1
And two practica
Spring Semester and First Summer Session
EED 618 Adapting Instruction for Diverse Student Needs 3
EED 626 Elementary Social Studies Methods and Curriculum 3
EED 627 Elementary Science Methods and Curriculum 3
EED 640 Participation in the Professional Development School 0
EDU 508 Student Teaching in Elementary Education 9
Workshops in violence prevention, child abuse, substance abuse, and
safety 0
And one practicum and two student teaching placements
Total credits: 40
Course
descriptions can be found in the graduate catalog, which is available
on line at: http://www.syr.edu/publications/gradcat/
Professional
Portfolio and the Intensive Examination
The development and successful presentation of a professional portfolio
follows the completion of coursework and student teaching. The final
requirement is the completion of an Intensive Examination. The master's
thesis is not an option in this program.
Childhood
Education Faculty
Rachel Brown, Assistant Professor, reading, strategy instruction,
cognition; Ph.D., University of Maryland
Kathleen Hinchman, Associate Professor, content area reading, teacher
research collaboration; Ph.D., Syracuse University
Tracy Knight-Lackey, Assistant Professor, inclusive education, school-family
relationships; PhD, University of Wisconsin
Gerald M. Mager, Professor, teacher education, supervision and curriculum;
Ph.D., Ohio State University
Gloria Quadrini, Affiliated Faculty, educational leadership, reading
education; Ed.D., Syracuse University
Mara Sapon-Shevin, Professor, teacher education, inclusion, cooperative
learning, diversity, Ed.D., University of Rochester
Larry E. Schafer, Professor, science education; Ph.D., Michigan State
University
Patricia Tinto, Associate Professor, mathematics education; Ph.D.,
Syracuse University
The
information concerning academic requirements, courses, and programs
of study contained in this publication does not constitute an irrevocable
contract between the student and the University. The University reserves
the right to change, discontinue, or add academic requirements, courses,
and programs of study without notice, although every effort will be
made to inform students of any changes in a timely manner. (August
1996, Syracuse University) Rev. 9/15/03